DHAKA, Jan 2, 2025 (BSS)-Rangpur Riders eased past Fortune Barishal by eight
wickets in the first big match of the 11th edition of Bangladesh Premier
League (BPL) today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

This was Rangpur's third victory in row after beating Sylhet Strikers and
Dhaka Capitals by 34 and 40 runs respectively in the first two matches.

A 113-run partnership between Saif Hassan and Alex Hales in the unbeaten
third wicket powered them to facile victory as they chased down Barishal's
meager 124 all out in 18.2 overs by amassing 128-2 in just 15 overs.

Saif Hassan was not out on 62 after hitting six fours and three sixes in 46
balls while Hales who signed off the game with six was on 49 off 41, an
innings laced with four fours and three sixes.

Saif Joined Hales after Rangpur were at perilous 15-2 following the departure
of Azizul Hakim Tamim and Tawfiq Khan who both bagged duck.

Iqbal Hossain Emon removed those two batters in three balls to give defending
champions Barishal a ray of hope to make the meager total a winning one but
Saif and Hales batted with caution and aggression to dent their hopes
eventually.
The platform was set by the bowlers who bowled well in tandem to deny
Barishal piling up a big total after they were asked to bat first.

Fast bowler Nahid Rana, who snared 2-32 sliced the top order before Pakistan
recruit Khushdil Shah, with 3-18, ripped out the middle order to stifle
Barishal.

Barishal skipper Tamim Iqbal made team-high 28 before Nahid Rana rattled his
stump with a searing Yorker.

Mahedi Hasan jolted Barishal first, having claimed the wicket of Najmul
Hossain Shanto. The situation further got worsened when Akif Javed got the
better of Towhid Hridoy.

Mahmudullah Riyad was the last hope for Barishal to steady the innings but
Nahid Rana also unsettled him with his raw pace.

Iftikhar Ahmed who bagged 2-10 and Khsuhdil then got into act to leave
Barishal in wanting. Mohammad Nabi made 19 ball-21 to help Barishal propel
past 100 but in batting-favourable wicket, it was just inadequate.

It was Barishal's first defeat in second game. In the first match they beat
Durbar Rajshahi by four wickets in high-scoring game.